Fish the Mitt

So I have decided to try my hand at making my own rods - I mean, why not, it's winter here and I'm jonesin'. So I ended up picking up a Mud Hole turnkey set for an MHX MB843 (7' - MH/F). I decided to go this route for my first rod so I could get my hands wet for relatively cheap, and use an all-purpose rod that wouldn't be too detrimental if something were to happen to it (since I already have another). After awhile, I've been eyeing up the Phenix and Rainshadow blanks... Anyways, here is where I stand at the moment. Not difficult at all so far - but I imagine the guides and such are the more difficult part for a beginner. To the question - while I was pushing the butt piece on, I pushed and turned too hard apparently and pushed the blank right through the butt.... Any remedies for this? I will probably just grab a new butt piece, but figured I'd see if there were any neat ideas on here first!

Haha While I have played one, it was released 10 years before my birth year. I grew up with the Super NES (vaguely remember the original NES) but my jam will always be the N64. Man oh man, that Goldeneye 007 was legit!

In my opinion, if there is truly no cover, then bass will relate to structure in a way that they would normally relate to cover. Ledges, drop-offs, flats, etc.. any depth change or direction change that they can use to protect themselves or ambush their potential meals. Keep in mind, just because you may not see anything, doesn't mean there isn't any sort of objects below the surface. I've seen a bass hold tight to a single rock half it's size... Whats the bottom comprised of? Sand?

Jealous! I hope you trip on twig, jerk! Kidding of course, good luck!

Yep!

Yes. I have one where my only success has been summer night-time fishing. During that time, in a 2 hour window that I've studied and got to know well, I can haul in 15+. During the day, the lake makes me question everything about humanity. I'm lucky to catch 1 or 2 all day. I will figure it out this year. **To note, this is a huge sports lake in the area which is why I've often made the excuse that that is why the nighttime fishing is always better. And it may be, but even on continuous days of no boat activity, I still get skunked at times. More often than any other body of water.

Yep, a new handle. Wanted it to be easier for individuals to identify with my location when giving or asking for advice. Good to know about the book! The last 30+ books I've read have all been Louis L'Amour westerns so it'll be different reading a book where someone isn't shot...

Hey, if there's a will, there's a way!

At first glance, I thought this said 360 XBox. I thought to myself, that's an odd item to bring fishing... #LongWinter

Add "Babe Winkleman's: Comprehensive Guide to Largemouth Bass Patterns" per some recommendations I read late lastnight. I was so tired I don't even remember buying it until I looked at my account this morning.....

Get your punching rod and gear out ?

Haha I'll will it to the BR community so Glenn can do a giveaway! ?

MHX MB843 blank and all the fixins to build it. Just looked at some Helix's too for an order placement (9 or 10 and a 7). Tactfully trying to walk around those purchases so I don't end up buried in the back 40.

Where have you been focusing on this small local lake with no name? If you're not on fish, a hand grenade couldn't help you. Before worrying about what to show the bass, you gotta find the bass. Once you're in a higher probability area (assuming no electronics), then you can worry about what you can present to them that will get them to commit or react to.

I'm thinking I'll upgrade the electronics on the Skeeter. I'm thinking a pair of Helix 10's - or at least one 10, and maybe a 5-7 for the console.

Understood, and I get where you're coming from. We've all been there. I suspected, as you also stated, that it was more of a precaution now.

Beings Michigan is top 3 in the contiguous US in named lakes (and probably top 1 or 2 if we count unnamed lakes or lakes bigger than 25 acres); and the fact that in Michigan you're never more than 6 miles from a lake, the possibilities are truly endless. It's often the biggest struggle of fishing for me - determining where to go. As for how often I fish, like others have said, not enough. I would reckon a good 2 times a week on an average week. 3-4 times is a blessing, 1 is life.

Perhaps a higher quality jig manufacturer is needed? I know for me, and the jig company I primarily use, this is definitely not an issue. Spinnerbaits on the other hand, I use a wide variety. So from time to time, I do see this. Do I find a workaround? No, I find a new spinnerbait. A skirted lure manufacturer, in my opinion, should have emphasis placed on their skirt and their method of keeping it in place. If I have to zip tie the skirt in place, I won't use that product. That's like buying a suspending jerkbait that doesn't suspend (adding suspend dots to a suspending bait) or buying a lure with dull hooks. Again, personal opinion.

This here is good stuff. I fish mine the same. I'll also add that a bladed jig is my most used nighttime fishing lure as well. I fish it over submerged vegetation but burn it back just under the surface.

I'm around $300. Most of that (all but like $60) was at Mud Hole. Took the plunge into trying my hand at building my own rods

Exactly right. As @S Hovanec was getting at. A MH rating for one blank (company) could be close or equivalent to a M from another. It's completely relative to the company (blank) you're looking at. If you have a brand you generally stick with, use that as a reference amongst those brands. But don't assume that a Med/Hev A Rod will be equivalent to a Med/Hev B Rod. It really is trial and error and getting the rods in your hand.

This is all completely subjective. What do I see? Where's the wind? Am I alone in my boat? What am I throwing? There is no concrete answer for me. Situation dictates and there is no right or wrong answer.

7^ In memory of (recently passed away unexpectedly):

I would check out this thread. Good info here and @Delaware Valley Tackle could answer anything this thread doesn't touch.

Cold you say? (shakes head as I stare at 6-8" of snow [-6 degrees when I woke up]). Welcome! https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/ray_roberts/